Among an array of colourful costumes, carnival sponsors, dancers, musicians, and calypso singer the official announcement revealed some changes to make the carnival experience a bigger and better one in Toronto. There are three major changes to this year’s carnival:

The Junior Carnival Parade, usually held in Downsview Park, is set to move to the Malvern community in Scarborough. Between 2,500 and 5,000 children are expected to take part in the 2014 event.

The grand parade length has been expanded to accommodate more paying spectators. It will begin at the northwest corner of Exhibition Place behind Medieval Times, crossing the CNE grounds before entering Lake Shore Blvd.

The third major change affects Beyond de Lime, traditionally one of the last events of the festival. ‘De Lime’ will return to the Toronto Islands on Aug. 3, after a decade elsewhere.

Other attractions include the Annual Gala, the King and Queen Contest, and Pan-Live, which advertises itself as “the largest outdoor steel pan orchestra competition in North America.” Visiting during carnival are four rugby teams from the Caribbean and Canada who compete for the coveted Carnival rugby cup. The first game will see the Reggae Warriors, a Jamaica-based team, battle the Wolverines, the undefeated Canadian national team, on the evening of July 19.

Overall this years festival has so much to look forward to! Let the countdown begin!

To be in the grand parade is simple. Just choose a mas band (they are all listed on this page caribanatoronto.com/masbandscostumes) check out which costumes are still available on their websites and head to the mas camp to purchase or buy online. The section leaders will provide you with information for when your costume is available for pick up and the schedule for the day of the parade, pretty simple!